Artificial turf used for major events

With advancing technology, artificial or synthetic turf is no longer a poor cousin to grass.

There are many sports purists who believe that sport cannot be played properly unless it’s played on a natural surface, and until fairly recently, they might have had a quite a following. Today’s artificial turf, however, is so well engineered and fitted that some find the benefits far more alluring.

Artificial turf for the 2010 World Cup?

Football fans are already looking forward to the next world cup – just two years away. The quality of the playing surfaces are tremendously important in world events, because they have such an impact on the game. That’s why, in the years running up to an event such as the World Cup, a great deal of attention is paid to the types of surfaces available in the home country, and the effort being made to ensure that they are truly world-class – and that could either be natural grass, or astro turf.

The 2010 World Cup will be held in South Africa, and there have been some mutterings amongst officials that suggest that the country’s stadia may not have optimum playing surfaces. If that’s the case, the governing body may well consider using artificial turf rather than subjecting players to sub-standard grass pitches. Artificial turf has improved immensely over recent years:

• 2007 – England played Russia in the 2008 European Cup qualifying match on artificial turf. The stadium was later re-laid with natural grass for the Champions League Final, but a precedent has been set for top level football.

• 2009/10 – the Premiership rugby team, Newcastle Falcons, is considering laying artificial turf at its stadium after the end of the 2008/09 season. The Falcons share their stadium and keeping the pitch in decent shape is a difficult job. Artificial turf will help all the clubs which use the stadium to get maximum benefit from it. The move has already been approved by the International Rugby Board and just needs RFU approval before the club can go ahead.

• 1970s onwards – field hockey has been played on artificial turf for many years. The International Hockey Federation has specifically said that “long pile” astro turf is not suitable for the game because it slows the ball down, but other types of artificial turf have been used on hockey pitches for many years and have contributed to enhancing the game.

As artificial turf becomes more highly engineered, offering the benefits of grass without the downsides of water logging and excessive maintenance, it will become increasingly popular with sports bodies, players and fans alike and you’re likely to see it at many major competitions.

Tiger Turf is a leading manufacturer and supplier of a wide range of artificial turf and astro turf. The company’s products are used by sportsmen and women across the world. As a FIFA licensee, and through working with a variety of sports at all levels, Tiger Turf has not only developed leading artificial turf products, but also an enviable reputation within the sporting world. To find out more about artificial turf, get in touch with Tiger Turf today on 01299 253966.